The idea of Social Networking is nothing new to the younger generations. With MySpace and IM, students and young professionals have been developing online relationships for years. But only over the last few years, corporate America has started to experiment online communication beyond e-mail. Now, a start up called Visible Path is trying to bring Social Networking to the business world.
In short, social networking is a web community that links versus people by location, interest, education, or common acquaintances. Social networking has become one of the new online fads with computer savvy teens and college students.
Networking and communication is the lifeblood of modern business. Finding ways to meet new people, at first glance, always seams like a great idea. However, with website like MySpace receiving tones of negative publicity, I caution any executive that wants to experiment with this technology. Most teens are finding their way into trouble by posting too much personal information. As tempting as it may be, beware of the going down the same path as your 15 year old. Once the information is on the web, you have no control of where it goes or who sees it. From a PR perspective, this is just one more medium to reach customers. But executives need to approach every post with the same strategic precision as the PR world.
I wish Visible Path the best of luck with their new venture, but I caution every business to make a strategic plan before allowing any employees to take part in the experiment. If worked properly, social networking could open an uncountable amount of doors for your organization; implemented poorly, you could close just as many doors.
